Help Kids Stay Safe This Halloween

As we approach Halloween fun and festivities it’s important to keep safety top of mind.

“Halloween is one of the most dangerous nights of the year for children pedestrians,” shares Gina Veres, injury prevention specialist at ProMedica Russell J. Ebeid Children’s Hospital. “They are twice as likely to be hit by a car, so taking extra precautions as a driver or parent is important.”

Allow yourself extra time to get to and from destinations on Halloween evening. “Keep in mind that trick-or-treating usually begins around rush hour, so don’t forget to drive slow, be aware and avoid distractions on your way home from work,” Veres shares.

Kids are often excited and may dart out into the street unexpectedly. They may not see your vehicle, so make sure that you see them.

Trick-or-Treating Safety Tips

Help your kids stay safe when trick-or-treating by following these tips:

• Stay visible. Help your kids be visible by dressing them in brightly colored costumes and having them wear items that are reflective, light up or glow in the dark.
• Avoid masks. Masks may impair a child’s line of vision. Rather than dressing your child in a mask, try using face paint or a hat to complete the costume.
• Do a costume check. Before Halloween night, have your child try on their costume to make sure that it fits properly and doesn’t drag on the ground. Make any necessary alterations to help reduce the risk of trips or falls. Also, make sure that the costume states that it is flame retardant or resistant.
• Join in on the fun. Kids should be accompanied by an adult when they go trick-or-treating until they are at least 12 years old.
• Go in groups. Gather your neighborhood friends or family and go trick-or-treating as a group. Have at least one member of your group carry a flashlight so that you are visible to drivers.
• Avoid flames. Talk to kids about being aware of the flames inside of pumpkins. Make sure that they know not to stand too close to them or let their costume touch them.
• Check candy. Let kids know that they shouldn’t eat any candy along the way. When they arrive home, have an adult go through the candy with them to check for anything opened or suspicious.

Have a safe and happy Halloween!